Jackets, Rebels, Eagles look to keep going in playoffs

It took Bessemer City’s softball team a tad later than last season to get hot, but it happened sure enough.

After making a run to the 1A West region final series a year ago, the Yellow Jackets (15-12) are one step from reaching that round again as they host Chatham Central (25-0) Tuesday at 6.

“We’re working hard. They’re focused,” Bessemer City coach Natalie Poston said. “They’ve got one goal, and that’s to win one at a time.”

Bessemer City offered a preview of last year’s playoff success when it won the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference tournament as the No. 6 seed. This year’s Yellow Jackets advanced only to the conference tournament semifinals but are winning when it counts the most.

Bessemer City beat North Rowan 11-0 in the first round of the 1A state playoffs, then knocked off Central Academy 12-4 and North Stokes 3-2 in 11 innings.

Bessemer City had never won a fast-pitch softball playoff game until last season.

In the latest win, senior pitcher Miranda Barrett drove in all three runs while junior shortstop Madison Carter finished with three hits and scored the winning run.

Rebel baseball at home

West Lincoln has reached the state baseball quarterfinals for the sixth time in school history and first since 2009. The Rebels (24-5) host Smoky Mountain (18-6) Tuesday for the right to play in the 2A West region final series.

“It’s going to be a challenge, but we’re at home and we’ve played pretty well there all year,” West Lincoln coach Allan Chapman said.

Alec Johnson pitched the first two playoff wins and Chandler Jenkins pitched the third win for the Rebels.

At the plate, Ethan Bumgarner delivered the game-winning in the first round (5-4 win over Brevard), Derek Strange provided a pinch-hit bases-clearing double in the second round (11-9 win against Draughn) and Brett Huff had a triple and a double in the third round (5-3 win over East Rutherford). And that’s just to name a few.

“Everybody in the lineup really has had hits,” Chapman said. “It’s not been just one guy. It’s been a total team effort.”

West Lincoln previously reached the round of eight in 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007 and 2009.

Lincoln Charter the surprise

Lincoln Charter (20-2) visits Hendersonville (19-5) Tuesday at 5 for the fourth round of the 1A state playoffs. Lincoln Charter was 0-1 in the NCHSAA baseball playoffs prior to this surprising run that began with the Eagles winning a pair of play-in games for a wildcard berth.

Lincoln Charter is led by senior pitchers Hunter Dodson (Carson-Newman signee) and David Scoggins (Liberty signee) as well as Zach Hollar and Christian Hilty.

Local coach still in playoffs

Gastonia native Heather Carnes has coached Marvin Ridge’s softball team to a 20-2 record and an appearance in Tuesday's 3A state quarterfinals. The Mavericks host Concord Robinson (25-2) Tuesday's for the right to face Fred T. Foard or Enka in the 3A West regional final series this weekend.

Carnes, a 2008 Ashbrook graduate, played softball four years at Averett University before graduating from there in 2012. This is her first season as head coach at Marvin Ridge. Carnes is the daughter of Ashbrook softball coach Rex “Gabby” Carnes.

Led by a pair of college signees in shortstop Madison Arroyo (Mississippi State) and pitcher Peyton Jordan (UNC Wilmington), the Mavericks won the Southern Carolina 3A/4A Conference.